On an evolutionary tree, which of the following statements is correct?

• A. Species that share a more recent common ancestor are more closely related.
• B. The length of the branches always represents the age of the species.
• C. The root of the tree represents the most recent species.
• D. All species at the tips of the tree are equally related to each other.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of an evolutionary tree: An evolutionary tree, also known as a phylogenetic tree, is a diagram that represents the evolutionary relationships among various species based on their shared common ancestors.
2. Clarify the meaning of 'common ancestor': Species that share a more recent common ancestor are considered more closely related because they diverged from the same lineage more recently in evolutionary history.
3. Analyze the statement about branch length: The length of the branches on an evolutionary tree does not always represent the age of the species. In some trees, branch length may represent genetic differences or other factors, depending on the type of tree being used.
4. Examine the root of the tree: The root of the tree represents the most ancient common ancestor of all the species depicted in the tree, not the most recent species.
5. Evaluate the relationship of species at the tips: Species at the tips of the tree are not necessarily equally related to each other. Their relationships depend on how recently they share a common ancestor, as indicated by the branching patterns of the tree.